NSW, Queensland, the ACT and WA have committed to introducing a deposit scheme on bottles and cans in the future. Now campaigners have set their sights on Victoria.
Boomerang Alliance, a coalition of 46 national and state environment groups, kicked off the Victorian Cash for Containers campaign with a meeting of groups including Beach Patrol, Sea Shepherd, the Australian Marine Conservation Society and local clean-up groups.
“The Victorian government says it has a wait-and-see policy – but this is just an excuse for inaction. Meanwhile the litter from drink bottles and cans piles up,” said alliance director Jeff Angel.
“Victoria is the no-action state when compared to the rest of Australia, which is moving ahead on refund schemes and plastic bag bans.”
The alliance’s campaigner for Victoria, Annett Finger, said cash-for-container schemes were reducing beverage litter and increasing recycling rates all over the world.
“Analysis of litter volume data and Sustainability Victoria’s research shows Victoria has a serious problem,” she said.
“Many local clean-up groups want action. Wherever we turn we are met with people ready to push this forward.”
